Planar flow-by electrode capacitive electrospray ion source

Abstract

An electrospray ion source includes a chamber including a channel region therein, the channel including at least one inlet for directing a solution into the channel and at least a first and a second outlet for transmitting the solution or derivatives therefrom out from channel. Structure for separating ions in the solution is provided from separating the solution into at least a first and a second flow stream portion. The first flow stream portion is enriched in negative ions and the second flow stream portion is enriched in positive ions. The first flow stream portion is adapted to exit the chamber through the first outlet while the second flow stream portion is adapted to exit the chamber through the second outlet. A method of charge separation can include the step of simultaneously providing at least two gas phase ion stream portions having opposite polarity.

I claim:  
     
       1. An electrospray ion source, comprising: 
       a chamber including a channel region therein, said channel including at least one inlet for directing a solution into said channel and at least a first and a second outlet for transmitting said solution or derivatives therefrom out from channel, and  
       structure for separating ions in said solution into separate flow stream portions including at least a first and a second flow stream portion, wherein said first flow stream portion is enriched in negative ions and said second flow stream portion is enriched in positive ions, said first flow stream portion adapted to exit said chamber through said first outlet while said second flow stream portion exits said chamber through said second outlet.  
     
     
       2. The electrospray source of  claim 1 , wherein said structure for separating ions comprises a device for generating an electrical field in said channel. 
     
     
       3. The electrospray source of  claim 2 , wherein said electrical field is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to a flow direction of said solution in said channel. 
     
     
       4. The electrospray source of  claim 2 , wherein said device for generating an electrical field comprises at least one capacitor, said capacitor including at least two electrodes, said electrodes positioned on substantially opposite sides of said channel. 
     
     
       5. The electrospray source of  claim 1 , wherein said structure for separating is adapted to provide a time varying electromagnetic field in said channel. 
     
     
       6. The electrospray source of  claim 1 , wherein said structure for separating ions comprises a device for generating a magnetic field in said channel. 
     
     
       7. The electrospray source of  claim 1 , wherein said device for generating a magnetic field comprises an electromagnet. 
     
     
       8. The electrospray source of  claim 1 , wherein said electrospray source is microfabricated, wherein said channel includes at least a first and second integrated electrode. 
     
     
       9. An electrospray system, comprising a plurality of said electrospray ion sources of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said plurality of electrospray ion sources are connected in series. 
     
     
       10. An electrospray method for generating at least one charged fluid, comprising the steps of: 
       providing an electrospray ion source, said electrospray ion source including at least one input and at least a first output and a second output;  
       flowing a fluid through said input into said electrospray ion source, and separating said fluid into a positively charged fluid stream portion and a negatively charged fluid stream portion, wherein said positively charged fluid stream portion is emitted from said first output and said negatively charged fluid stream portion is emitted from said second output.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said separating step includes applying at least one electromagnetic field to said fluid in said electrospray ion source. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein said electromagnetic field is a time varying electromagnetic field. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein said electromagnetic field is generated between the plates of a capacitor. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of simultaneously providing at least two gas phase ion stream portions having opposite polarity, a first polarity emitted from said first output and the other polarity emitted from said second output.